Gordon Richardson, Topman's design director, gave the Guardian an exclusive preview on the direction Topman Design (their posh catwalk collection) is taking for Wednesday's show at the Royal Opera House.

First things first: it's not looking like an Olympic homage despite being for Spring/Summer 2012. Rather- it's more 1970s fabulousness. Think paisley, an elegant Mick Jagger, some pyjama action, a bit of a safari jacket element and some kick flares. There are also apparently, some "very short-shorts". The colour palette, aside from the super mash-up prints, which appear on the invite (pictured above), is taking two routes: "intense exotics versus stately home". Translation: pinging orange and pink (note: not neon, they're more subtle and clean) versus brown, burgundy and dusky pink.

Topman Fake Fur- Spring 2012 collection Photograph: topman.co.uk

On entering the "styling room", where all the clothes are held pre-show while models try them out over the coming days, the thing that first hits you is the paisley print. Richardson said this felt like a natural continuation from the autumn/winter 2011 collection, which features geometric patterned shirts. In fact, this latest TMD collection (that's shorthand for Topman Design don't you know) has just gone on sale in stores and online. Apparently the early big hit is the rather wild faux fur coat – who said boys don't do catwalk looks too?